Forming press automatic feed



Sept. 1, 1953 J. WYZA FORMING PRESS AUTOMATIC FEED 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 16, 1948 IN V EN TOR. WVZA,

JUH/V Sept. 1, 1953 Filed Jan. 16, 1948 J. WYZA 2,650,822 FORMING PRESS AUTOMATIC FEED 6 Sheeis-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. m 1 JOHN W Yang BY %WMMMZMZ vwmmb A TTORNEVS'.

Sept. 1 19 53 J. WYZA 2,650,822

FORMING PRESS AUTOMATIC FEED Filed Jan. 16, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 3.

,4 TtdR/VE vs.

p 1, 1953 J. WYZA 2,650,822

FORMING PRESS AUTOMATIC FEED Filed Jan. 16, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. JOHN W YZA,

W-WaqflJW/WYWM ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 1, 1953 JMWYZA 2,65,22

FORMING PRESS AUTOMATIC FEED INVENTOR. W YEAR.

' nrraAWs vs.

Sept. 1, 1953 J. WYZA 2,650,822

FORMING PRESS AUTOMATIC FEED Filed Jan. 16, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Sept. 1, 1953 OFFICE FORMING PRESS AUTOMATIC FEED John 'Wyza, New Castle, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, toFrank Leonard,

N ew Castle, Pa.

Application January 16, 1948, Serial No. 2,736

10 Claims. i

This invention relates toimprovements in automatic feed devices-for forming presses andsim- 'ila-rmachines, and more particularly to a feed device 'for automatically advancing a strip of 'stock-"suchas'strip stock, Wire'or bar stock, to aformingpress and for accurately metering the length'ofstock fedto-the press for each operation'thereofdn accordance with predetermined 'lengths of stock required for various press- 'formed articles.

"In the-forming of various articles in a forming or punch press, suitable stock, usually in the form of rolled 'Wire or strip stock, or fiat bar :stock is 'fed into one side of the press for operation of the press dies thereon.

"In the past,'the stock has usually been fed by hand against an adjustable fixed abutment, although it has long been recognized that this type of-manufacturing operation could be great- "ly acceleratedand performed more accurately and with much less manual-labor-by the provi- ;sion of an automatic stock feeding device. Some attempts have beenmade to provide such automatic feeding devices, but these previous attempts have left anumber of serious problems entirely unsolved.

One suchproblem concerns the provision of a positive feed without any slipping of the stock 'in the feed-mechanism with consequent varia- "tions in-the-stocl: lengths fed to the press, an-

other-with the avoidance of over-shooting or under-shooting of the feed mechanism with consequent variations of thelengths of stock pieces fed tot-he press and misplacement of the pieces on the press dies, and another with the'provision of accurate metering of the stock and automatic control of the length of the stock sec- 'tionsto any selected one of a large number of closely spaced dimensions within a wide over-all range.

It isthus among the objects of the present invention to provide an improved stock-feeding device which continuously engages the stock in a manner topreclude slipping of the stock inthe -feedingmechanism, whichis positive in operation so that the length of stock fed to thepress for each operation thereof is accurately metered in'a'ccordance with a selection of the stock length desired, which can be quickly and easily adjusted to feed a length of stoclz 'for each press operation, which length is any'selected one of closely spaced lengths within a wide over-all range of lengths available for selection, which willfeedstoci: of a wide range of cross-sectional -shapes'and dimensions and of various materials,

which is adjustable'in speed of operation to accommodate it to different press speeds, which can use the major portion of the separating and closing movements of the press dies for the stockfeeding operation ,so that there is no unduly sudden movement, jerking or impacting of the stock, and which is simple and durable in construction, easy tooperate and-adjust and can be applied to'various types of conventional presses and similar machines without requiring any substantial modification thereof.

Other objects and'advantages-Will become apparent from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevation in somewhat diagrammatic iormof a typical forming press, a stock-feeding and metering apparatus, illustrative of the invention, in operative association therewith, anda stock-roll support in operative association with the feeding and metering apparatus;

Figure 2 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of the stock-feeding and metering apparatus showing the side of the apparatus at which the stock-feeding and metering rollers are provided;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-section taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure l is an end elevational view of the stock-feeding mechanism of the apparatus showstools-metering .mechanism taken substantiallj on the line. :6\6 of Figure 4;

Figure '7.is a perspectiveview on an enlarged scaleofa fragmentary portion of a switch operating disk illustratingthe manner of mountling aswitch operatingpin therein;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of .a filler element for apin-receiving socket provided in the --di'skillustrated in Figure '7; and

Figure 9-is a wiring diagram of the electrical components ofthe stock-feeding andmetering apparatus.

With continued reference to the drawings,

there is illustrated in Figure 1, in somewhat diagrammatic form, a conventional forming or punch pressgenerally indicated at ill, a power- 3 driven stock-feeding device, generally indicated at H, a stock-metering device carried by the stock-feeding device, generally indicated at I2, a support [3 for the stock-feeding and stockmetering devices, and a support M for a rotatable drum or spool I 5 upon which the strip stock 16 is wound.

The press [0 has a base [1, a frame mounted on the base and including a table I8 supported on the base and carrying a bottom die 3, a standard 20, extending upwardly from the base and providing guideways 21 for the top die 22 which is connected by a link rod 23 with a crank shaft 24 journaled in bearings 25 provided by the standard 20 and driven by power-operated means such as the gear or belt wheel 26 to reciprocate the die toward and away from the bottom die.

The stock I6 is fed between the dies I9 and 22 while the dies are separated, as illustrated in Figure l, and is held in position when the dies come together so that the dies form the stock into the desired articles.

In accordance with the present invention, a length of stock of the correct dimension is automatically advanced to a position between the dies while the dies are separated and is stopped in proper position relative to the dies when the dies close, so that the desired article will be properly and accurately formed by operation of the press The stock-feeding mechanism H and metering mechanism 13 are entirely separate from and independent of the press and are suported independently upon the support [4 which may conveniently comprise four tubular legs or standards 21 positioned to receive the four corners of the bottom of the stock-feeding mechanism and rigidly connected together by transverse perpendicular rounds 28 and suitable diagonal braces 29. This support [3 firmly supports the stock-feeding and metering mechanisms at the proper height and in operative position relative to the press, but these mechanisms do not depend in any way on the press for their support and no modifica- 1 tion of the press is required for the application of the automatic feeding and metering mechanisms thereto.

The stock spool or drum l5 may be conveniently supported in journals 36 provided at the top of an A frame 3! to receive a shaft 32 provided at one end with annularly-spaced handles 33 for manually rotating the drum, when necessary.

From the drum [5 the stock i6 is fed over a pair of spaced-apart feed rollers 34 and beneath a pair of pressure rollers 35 which are respectively positioned immediately above the feed rollers and resiliently forced toward the respective feed rollers by compression springs 35. The feed rollers 34 are driven by suitable power means, such as the electric motor 31, in a manner presently to be described, although they may be driven by other means, such as a line shaft pulley or other suitable types of power devices.

After leaving the rollers of the stock-feeding mechanism H the stock passes over a metering roller 38, constituting an operating component of the stock-metering mechanism [2, and beneath a pressure roller 39 disposed immediately above the metering roller 38 and resiliently forced toward the metering roller.

The stock-feeding mechanism is provided with a suitable frame or housing 40, and the metering mechanism with a separate and independent frame or housing 41, which is pivotally connected 4 to the housing 40 by a separable hinged connection 42 and is held in position so that its rollers 38 and 39 are in alignment with the rollers 34 and 35 by an adjustable diagonal brace or strut 43.

Referring now to Figure 2, the two pressure rollers 35 are journaled on respective axles 45 secured in the opposite flange portions of a channel-shaped carriage 45 which is guided upon the frame 40 by having rectangular notches 41 provided in the end portions thereof which notches receive the upper-end portions of respective brackets 48 extending outwardly from the side-wall of the frame 49 at which the rollers 34 and 35 are provided. The outer edges of these brackets are preferably inclined downwardly and inwardly through the surface of the side-wall at the bottom thereof, as is clearly illustrated in Figure 4, and are provided with respective apertures 48 through which the strip of stock If; passes.

Stud bolts 49 are secured at their lower ends in the upper ends of the brackets 48 and extend upwardly through the carriage 46. The upper ends of these stud bolts projecting above the carriage are surrounded by the compression springs 36 and suitable nuts 50 screw threaded onto the upper ends of the stud bolts compress the springs 36 between the washers 5| and annular spacers or bosses 52 extending upwardly from the top of the carriage 45. The nuts 50 are adjustable to vary the pressure between the pressure rollers 35 and the feed rollers 34, as may be found desirable. The pressure roller 39 of the stockmetering mechanism is journaled on the pin 53 of a crank 54 one end of which is pivotally secured to the meter housing 4| by a bolt 55 extending through an aperture in the end portion of the crank and threaded into an internally-screwthreaded boss 55 provided on the housing. The pressure roller is resiliently forced toward the metering roller 38 by a looped spring 51 having at one end a hook surrounding a pin 58 fixed to the housing 4|, at its opposite end a hook 53 overlying the top edge of the crank 54 and intermediate its length a loop surrounding the bolt 55, the spring being effective to exert a downwardly directed force on the pressure roller 39 to resiliently force the pressure roller toward the metering roller positioned immediately below it. The metering roller 38 is preferably provided with a peripheral band or tire 60 of resilient material, such as rubber or synthetic resin plastic, to provide a high frictional component between the periphery of this roller and the adjacent surface of the strip of stock passing between it and the pressure roller 39.

Referring to Figure 3, it will be observed that the frame or housing 40 is a four-sided, substantially rectangular member enclosing an elongated, generally rectangular space. This frame may conveniently comprise end-walls 6|, sidewalls 62, a bottom wall 63, and two internal ribs 64 and 65, substantially parallel to each other,

and to the side-walls 52, all integrally united and preferably formed as a hollow metal casting, and a top wall 66 which is preferably separately formed and secured to the casting by suitable bolts or screws. An integral bracket 61 extends outwardly from one end-wall 6| to support an electromagnetic solenoid 58, the purpose of which will presently appear, and the lugs 69 of the hinge connection 42 for the metering mechanism project outwardly from the opposite end-wall.

Feed rollers 34 are fixed on the outer ends of respective feed roller shafts 10 which shafts are 5 journaled in precision-type double roller-bearings II mounted inrespective'annularbosses 12pmvided internally of the corresponding frame sidewall 62 and held'in' operative positionin thebosses by respective bearing caps 13 which surround the shaft T at the outer sideof the frame-side-wall 62 and are secured to the frame by suitable cap screws 14. Suitable oil or grease seals 15 are carried by the caps I3 surrounding the-shafts 10.

The shafts 19 extend beyond thebearings 1| and through suitable bearing bosses provided in the internal rib 65 in which theyare journaled by single roller'bearings 16 so that'theshafts 'Hlare rigidly supported in the frame against lateral movement, but for substantially frictionless rotation therein.

Between the inner and outer bearings II and 'I-Ii the shafts I0 have synchronizing gears 11 fixed thereon and an idler gear .18 mounted on an axle f9 disposedbetween theegears T'Lmeshes with both gears I1 :to operatively connect them in a manner such "that'the two shafts rotate in the same direction at the same rotational speed. The axle I9hasxone'end'supported inan internal frame boss provided between the bearing bosses l2 and its other end supported in a suitable 'apertured boss provided in the internal web 165 and may be releasably-heldinoperative position vby a suitable 'set screw,':as indicated 'at"8il.

'Adrive shaft 8l =is;journa1e'd in the frame 4!] by spaced-apart roller bearings 82 and .83, the bearing 82 being mounted in a bosslprovided in the side wall'62 opposite the bosses I2, and the bearing 83 being mounted ina boss provided in the internal rib 64. Bearing '82 is held in position in the side-wall bossbyinternal and external bearing caps and 8.5 secured together'and tothe frame side-wall bysuitable cap screws'85. A grease seal '8! is carried by the external cap 85 surrounding'the shaft 8| to preclude-leakage of lubricant from the housing lll.v A small spur gear'88- of a four-gear, speed-reducing gear train is fixed on the inner end of the shaft 8| and meshes with a largergear 89 journaledon a jack shaft 99, the ends of which are mounted in the internal ribs 64 and 65. A small gear '9! is journaledon the .jack shaft 96 and-rotationally fixed with the gear 89 and-meshes with a large'gear 92 mounted on the inner end of one of the feed roller shafts I0. 7

With the above-described arrangement, when the drive shaft 8| is-rotated, the two feed roller shafts it will be rotated in the same direction and at the same speed relative to'each other, but at a rotational speed less than the rotational speed of the drive shaft 8| by the speed-reducing ratio of the gear train including the gears 88, -85, 9| and 92.

A double V-belt pulley 93 isjournaledonthe shaft 8| outside of the housing 40 by a suitable anti-friction bearing, such as the double ball bearings 94. The pulley is provided with a hub in the form of an annular boss inwhich'the bearings 94 are retained by a suitable bearing cap secured to the pulley by cap screws 96. The belt pulley 93 is formed to provide in its'outer side a conical clutch face 91 and a cooperating double-faced clutch cone 98 ismounted-on the outer end portion of the drive shaft in position to cooperate with the clutch face 91. In the arrangement illustrated, the drive shaft is provided with a longitudinal -slot or with longitudinalkeyways 99 and the-hub I00 of theclutch cone is providedwith inwardly-extending keys or pins whichengage in the slots or-keyways 89 to restrain the clutch cone from rotation relative to the drive shaft while providing freedom of sliding movement of the clutchconelon the drive shaft longitudinally thereof. The face of the clutch vcone cooperating with the clutch fa ed! of the beltpulley 93 is provided with a covering 10-! of friction material and the clutch cone is forced into operative engagement with the clutch *face of the belt pulley by acompression spring I 02which surrounds the outer'end portion of the drive shaft between the outer end of the clutch cone hub I00 and an abutment washer I83 which :is secured on the outer end of the drive shaft by a nut H14 threaded ontoa reduced r externally-screw-threaded end portion of the drive shaft.

A clutch operating throw-out fork I06 is'pivotally mounted intermediate its'length on-the outer endof a stirrup Ill! secured at its inner end to the corresponding side-wall 82 of the frame 40 and is provided at one end with a fork, the tines of which lie at opposite sides of the hub I00 of the clutch cone and carry pins engaging in-an annular groove I08 provided in-the clutch-cone hub to move the clutoh'cone away from the belt pulley 93 against the force of spring 102.

A brake shoesegment I09 havinga friction lining lI-0 thereon, is supported by an inverted L-shaped bracket III which extendsoutwardly from the-side-wall 62 of-the frame or housing ofthe feeding mechanism. The brake-.segment is secured to the bracket by a pair of "bolts H3 which pass through registeringaperturesin the angularly-disposed end portion of the bracket and in the web of the shoe-segment, the apertures in one :of these parts being elongated to provide a limited freedom of movement of the brake shoe segment toward and away from the outer cone face H4 of the double clutch cone. Adjustment of the shoe segment toward and away from the clutch cone is controlled by a manually-rotatable screw I I5 threaded-through an internally-screw-threaded opening in the bracket and engaged at its inner end with theweb of the brake shoe segment I09.

The end of the clutch throw-out fork I06 opposite the fork end thereof, is pivotally connected by means of a link I I6 with the outer end of the movable armature I I! of the solenoid68.

With this-arrangement, whenever the solenoid 68 is energized the armature II! will be drawn inwardly, thereby rocking the fork [(16 about its pivotal connection H8 with the outer end of stirru It! to move the clutch cone 9'8 along the drive shaft 8| away from the clutch face 91 of the belt pulley 93 and into engagement with thebrake shoe segment H39. This movementof the clutch cone will disconnect the drive from the beltpulley to the drive shaft and, by braking the clutch cone, will stop the drive shaftsubstantially instantaneously upon energization of the solenoid. The clutch mechanism thus serves to provide substantially instantaneous starting and stopping of the stock-feeding mechanism. v

A shown in Figure l, the'e1ectric motor 31 is mountedon the top wall-of the frame 40 by a pair of hinge connections I28 disposed between the top wall of the frameand one end of the motor base plate I21. Each of the hinge connections I26 may conveniently comprise a pair of oppositely-disposed apertured lugs connected one to the frame 40 and the other to the base plate I2| and pivotally connected together by respective Divot pins. A screw-threaded stem I22 connected at one end tothe top wall of frame 40 by a lug connection I 23 extends through an aperture in the opposite end of the motor base plate I2I and the motor base plate is secured in adjusted position along the length of stem I22 by a pair of clamp nuts I24 so that the motor shaft I25 can be moved toward and away from the drive shaft 8I and secured in adjusted position relative thereto. A double V-belt pulley I26 is secured on the motor shaft and drivingly connected by a pair of V-belts I21 with the belt pulley 93 mounted on the drive shaft 8I.

In order to protect the motor 31 against overload, the belt pulley I26 is mounted on a bushing fixed to the motor shaft and having at one end a fixed annular shoulder I28 and at the opposite end a movable annular shoulder I29 which is movable lengthwise of the bushing, but held against rotation relative thereto. A compression spring I30 surrounds the motor shaft between the movable shoulder I29 and an abutment washer I3I secured on the shaft by a pair of lock nuts I32 screw threaded onto the externallyscrew-threaded outer-end portion of the motor shaft. The spring I30 compresses the belt pulley I26 between the annular shoulders I28 and I29 providing a friction drive between the belt pulley and the motor shaft which is effective to rotate the pulley with the shaft under all normal conditions, but which will permit slipping of the pulley on the shaft if the load on the motor becomes so excessive as to endanger the motor.

The belt grooves in the V-belt pulleys 93 and I26 are so designed that the ratio of the pulley speed can be varied by moving the motor shaft toward or away from the drive shaft ill by use of the nuts I24 on the threaded stem I22, to thereby vary the speed of the feeding mechanism. Where a large change of speed is necessary a belt pulley of a different size can be mounted on the motor shaft to provide the desired speed of the stock-feeding mechanism.

The motor 31 and its starting and stopping switch are preferably provided as a conventional integral unit having the switch mounted directly on the motor as the feeding mechanism is designed for continuous operation of the motor while the feeding mechanism is in operation.

Energization of the clutch-operating solenoid 68 of the stock-feeding mechanism is controlled by the stock-metering mechanism I2 and a switch I33 mounted on the press I0 and operated thereby, the metering mechanism being effective to stop the feeding mechanism whenever a predetermined length of stock has been fed to the press and the switch I33 being effective to restart the feeding mechanism to advance the next length of stock to the press. The construction of the stock-metering mechanism is particularly illustrated in Figures 4 to 8 inclusive.

Metering roller 38 is fixed on the outer end of a, metering-roller shaft I35 which is journaled in aboss I36 projecting outwardly from the corresponding side-wall I31 of the metering mechanism frame M. The portion of the shaft I35 within the frame 4| is made non-circular or is keyed or splined and the end thereof opposite the metering roller 38 is journaled in a boss I38 provided on the removable side-wall II2 of the frame H.

The opposite end walls of the frame M are provided with inwardly-extending pins I40, Figure 6, upon which are journaled a pair of disks MI and I42 by means of respective hollow coaxial bosses I43 extending from the disks and surrounding the corresponding pins. These disks are substantially parallel to each other and are disposed one at each side of the shaft I35 substantially parallel thereto. The boss I36 is extended inwardly of the side-wall I31 of frame M to provide a bearing for an idler wheel I44 which rotates between the two disks MI and I42 in contact therewith and near the outer circumferences thereof.

A friction wheel I45 is mounted on the splined or non-circular portion of the shaft I35 for longitudinal movement thereon, but against relative rotation and is also in contact with the opposed faces of the two disks HI and I42, and is effective to drive the two disks from the shaft I35 at speeds depending upon the distance of the friction wheel I45 from the axis of rotation of the disk. This friction wheel is preferably provided with a tire or rim of resilient friction material to provide a high frictional component between the wheel and the disk faces.

Compression springs I40 are disposed respectively between the disks HI and I42 and the adjacent end-walls of the frame to resiliently force the disks against the idler wheel I44 and friction wheel I45.

A screw shaft I46, substantially parallel to and spaced from the shaft I35, extends across the interior of the frame M and has its ends journaled in bosses I41 and I48 formed on the fixed side-wall I31 and removable side-wall II2 respectively of the frame. A knurled hand wheel or knob I49 is secured on the outer end of the screw shaft projecting through the side-wall II2 by suitable connecting means, such as the set screw I50 whereby the screw shaft can be manually rotated, and a collar I5I is secured on the screw shaft by similar fastening means at the inner-side of the frame wall I I2 to hold the screw shaft against longitudinal movement relative to the frame. A set screw I52 is threaded into the bearing boss I48 so that the screw shaft may be locked thereby in adjusted position, when desired.

' A nut I53 is threaded onto the screw shaft and provided with a fork I54, the ends of which are engaged in an annular groove I55 provided in the cylindrical hub portion I56 of the friction wheel I45 so that the friction wheel will be moved longitudinally of the shaft I35 and radially of the disks HI and I42 upon rotation of the screw shaft I46 by the hand knob I49. This arrangement provides a manually-adjustable, variable speed drive between the shaft I35 of the metering roller 38 and the two disks HI and I42.

One of the disks, the disk I42, as illustrated, is provided with a right-angular peripheral recess forming an annular shoulder I51 spaced inwardly of the periphery of the disk at the outer side thereof, and concentric therewith. The outer or marginal portion of the disk is provided with a plurality of angularly-spaced circular holes or apertures providing pin sockets for pins I58 selectively invertable into the pin sockets and retained therein by suitable securing means, such as the set screws I59. The holes in the disks are so located as to extend for substantially onehalf their cross-sectional area inwardly of the annular shoulder I51 and they extend entirely through the annular flange I60 provided between this shoulder and the inner face of the disk.

A micro switch I6I is mounted in the frame 4| in position such that its operating lever I62 with twelve pin sockets spaced at equal angular intervals therearound. With a pin in each socket the switch will be operated twelve times-for each rotation of the disk; with only one pin in place, the switch will be operated only once for each revolution of the disk, and with two, three, four or six of the pins in place, spaced apart at equal angular intervals, the switch will be operated a corresponding number of times for each disk rotation.

As Will later appear in connection wtih the description of Figure 9, the switch I 6| is electrically connected with the solenoid 68 so as to stop the feeding mechanism each time the switch is contacted by a pin I58.

Filler elements I63, as particularly illustrated in Figure 8, are provided for insertion into the pin sockets which do not carry switch-operating pins. These filler elements each have a cylindrical portion fitting the portion of the pin socket contained in the flange I60 and a cutaway portion which fills the portion of the pin socket in the inner annular shoulder I51 so that the shoulder I 51 will be smooth between the pins and will not tend to accidentally operate the switch I6I.

Returning to Figure 1, the switch I33 is mounted on the standard 26 of the press I!) adjacent the guideway for the movable die 22 and has an upwardly-projecting operating lever I64. A bracket I65 is secured to the movable die or the die connecting link 23 and is provided with a spring plunger I66 which contacts the switchoperating lever I64 to close the switch whenever the die is within a predetermined lower portion of its range of movement,- or within a predetermined distance of the fixed die I9. This switch I33 is effective, when opened, to restart the stockefeeding mechanism after it has been stopped by the metering mechanism.

Referring now to Figure 9, one side of the switch I33 is connected through an electrical conduit I61 and a manually-operatedswitch I68 with one side I69 of a three-wire power line including the opposite side wire I!!! and. the center wire I'I-I. 'I'his maybe the conventional 220- volt power line provided in the usual machine shop.

An electrical. conduit I12, leads from the opposite side of switch I33 to one side of, switch IBI and a conduit I13 leads from switch IGI to one side of the electro-magnet I14 of" an electro magnetic relay I15, the opposite side of the electro-magnet being connected by a conduit I15 with the opposite side wire I'll! of the power line. The relay H includes a switch I11 which is closed by the electro-magnet I14. only when both of the switches I33 and I6! are closed. One side of switch IT! is connected through an electrical conduit I18 with conduit I61 or the corresponding side of switch I58 and the oppositev side of this switch I1! is connected by a conduit I19 with one side of the electro-magnetic solenoid t the opposite side of which is connected through an electrical conduit I80 with the side wire I76 of the power line.

The operation of the apparatus is substantially as follows:

With the manual switch I68 closed, and the motor 31 energized, and the electro-magnet 33 ole-energized. the stock-feeding mechanism will be in operation advancing stock toward the press Ill. When the-movable die 22 has moved downwardly a predetermined distance toward the fixed die I3 the switch I33 will be closed by the spring 1d plunger I66. With the switch I33 closed, as soon as the predetermined length of stock has passed the metering r011 38 of the metering mechanism, a pin I58 will contact the actuating lever of switch I6I closing this switch. As soon as both of the switches I33 and IIiI are closed the magnet I'I4 of the relay I15 is energized, closing the switch I'I'I which in turn energizes the solenoid 68. Upon energization the solenoid 68 moves the clutch fork I06 to disengage the clutch cone 98 from the belt pulley 93 and into engagement with the brake shoe segment I39, thereby instantaneously stopping the stock-feeding mechanism. Since the disk I42 is thus stopped with it pin I58 holding the switch I6I closed, the stockfeeding mechanism will be held inoperative until the switch I33 is again opened by upward movement of the movable die 22. As the movable die 22 moves away from the fixed die I9 a predetermined distance, the spring plunger I66 is removed from the operating lever of switch I33 perrnittingswit'ch I33 to open and break the circuit energizing the solenoid 68. Upon de-energizing of the solenoid B3 compression spring I62 re-engages the clutch cone 98 with the belt pulley 93 and operation of the stock-feeding mechanism is resumed and this cycle is repeated to ad- Vance predetermined lengths of stock to the forming press in synchronism with the operation of the press dies.

The amount of stock advanced to the press for each operation thereof is controlled by adjustment of the stock-metering mechanism. The pins I55 provide a coarse adjustment for the stock-metering mechanism so that the maximum stock length within the metering capacity of the metering mechanism with only one pin in the disk I42 can be roughly divided into two, three, four, six, and twelve substantially equal parts by inserting the corresponding number of pins in the proper pin sockets in the disk. The variable speed drive between the metering roller shaft and the disk I 42 provides a fine adjustment by means of which the exact desired length 01 stock advanced to the press for each operation can be accurately determined. With this arrangement the metering mechanism can be adjusted for the supply of stock lengths to the press ranging from approximately one-quarter of an inch to approximately twelve inches in length by increments not greater than one-twenty-fifth of an inch.

The feed rollers of the stock-feeding mechanism are continuously in engagement with the stock under pressure supplied by the pressure rollers and the metering roller is also continuously in engagement with the stock under pressure supplied by its corresponding pressure roller so that the stock is never released from the feed and pressure rollers and there is no opportunity for slippage or movement of the stock relative to the stock contacting portions of the rollers. The stock feed is thus positive and substantially invariable. The clutch and brake mechanism of the stock-feeding unit is substantially instantaneous and positive in operation, so that the advance of the stock to the press is accomplished without lag or over-run and the operation of the apparatus is entirely automatic so that the presence of an attendant is not required, except to replenish the supply of stock, or to make necessary adjustments or repairs.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing'frorn the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are, therefore, intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic stock feed for advancing a strip of stock a selected distance at predetermined intervals comprising a frame, feed and pressure rollers supported on said frame for the passage of said strip of stock therebetween, continuously operating power means, means including a friction clutch drivingly connecting said power means with said feed rollers, electro-magnetic means operatively connected with said clutch effective when energized to disengage said clutch, metering means positioned to engage and measure stock passing said feed rollers and operative to periodically energize said electro-magnetic means to disengage said clutch and stop said feed, and switch means adapted to be operated by a press to which said stock is supplied to de-energize said electro-magnetic means and restart said feed.

2. An automatic stock feed for advancing a strip of stock a selected distance at predetermined intervals to a forming press comprising a frame, feed and pressure rollers supported on said frame for the passage of said strip of stock therebetween, continuously operating power means, means including a friction clutch drivingly connecting said power means with said feed rollers, electro-magnetic means operatively connected with said clutch effective when energized to disengage said clutch, metering means positioned to engage and measure stock passing said feed rollers and operative to periodically energize said electro-magnetic means to disengage said clutch and stop said feed, switch means adapted to be operated by a press to which said stock is supplied to de-energize said electromagnetic means and restart said feed, and brake means operative between said frame and said clutch to engage said clutch and hold said feed against movement while said clutch is disengaged.

3. Power operated means for advancing a strip of stock to a forming machine comprising a frame having end-walls, side-walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall enclosing a generally rectangular space, and spaced internal ribs extending upwardly from said bottom wall and between and generally parallel tosaid side-walls, anti-friction bearings mounted in one of said side-walls and the adjacent internal rib, a pair of feed roller shafts journaled in said bearings, a feed roller on the outer end of each shaft, a drive shaft journaled in said frame, gear means operatively connecting said drive shaft with said roller shafts, clutch means on said drive shaft outside said frame, power means on said frame drivingly connected with said clutch means, webs extending outwardly from said one side-wall, one adjacent each end thereof, a roller carriage guided on said webs, pressure rollers journaled in said carriage, and spring means operative between said frame and said carriage to resiliently force said pressure rollers toward said feed rollers.

4. Power operated means for advancing a strip of stock to a forming machine comprising a frame having end-walls, side-walls, a top wall and a bottom wall enclosing a generally rectangular space, and spaced internal ribs extending upwardly from said bottom wall and between and generally parallel to said side-walls, anti-friction bearings mounted in one of said side-walls and the adjacent internal rib, a pair of feed roller shafts journaled in said bearings, a feed roller on the outer end of each shaft, a drive shaft journaled in said frame, gear means operatively connecting said drive shaft with said roller shafts, clutch means on said drive shaft outside said frame, power means on said frame drivingly connected with said clutch means, webs extending outwardly from said one side-wall one adjacent each end thereof, a roller carriage guided on said webs, pressure rollers journaled in said carriage, and spring means operative between said frame and said carriage to resiliently force said pressure rollers toward said feed rollers, said webs having apertures therein for the passage of stock between said feed rollers and said pressure rollers.

5. Power operated means for advancing a strip of stock to a forming machine comprising a hollow frame having spaced side-walls and a pair of internal ribs between and generally parallel to said side-walls, a pair of feed roller shafts journaled in one of said side-walls and the adjacent internal rib, a feed roller secured on the outer end of each feed-roller shaft, a synchronizing gear on the inner end of each roller shaft, an axle mounted at its ends in said one side-walls and the adjacent ribs, an idler gear on said axle meshing with both of said synchronizing gears, a drive shaft journaled in said frame, a second axle supported at its ends in said inter nal ribs, a drive gear fixed on said drive shaft, two inter-connected gears journaled on said second axle, the larger meshing with said drive gear, and a driven gear on one of said roller shafts meshing with the smaller gear on said second axle to provide a speed-reducing gear train between said drive shaft and said one feedroller shaft, clutch means on said drive shaft operative to drive the same, a carriage guided on said frame, a pair of pressure rollers journaled in said carriage, and spring means operatively connected between said carriage and said frame resiliently forcing said pressure rollers toward said feed rollers.

6. Power operated means for advancing a strip of stock to a forming machine comprising a hollow frame, a pair of spaced-apart, parallel feed-roller shafts journaled in said frame, a feed roller on the outer end of each feed-roller shaft, a drive shaft journaled in said frame, shaftdriving-clutch means on the outer end of said drive shaft, a synchronizing gear train operativel connecting said feed-roller shafts for rotation in the same direction at the same speed, a speedreducing gear train operatively connecting said drive shaft and one of said feed-roller shafts, a pressure roller carriage guided on said frame, a pair of pressure rollers journaled in said oarriage, and spring means operatively connected between said frame and said carriage resiliently forcing said pressure rollers toward said feed rollers.

'7. Metering means for measuring off predetermined lengths from a strip of stock comprising a supporting frame, a roller shaft journaled in said frame, a metering roller on the outer end of said shaft, a crank pivoted to said frame, a pressure roller journaled on said crank and positioned in opposition to said metering roller, an electric switch supported by said frame, an adjustable switch operating means driven by said roller shaft operative to operate said switch in response to rotational movements of said metering roller to selected angular extents, said switch operating means including a pair of disks jour" naled in said frame disposed one at each side of said roller shaft, a friction wheel longitudinally slidable on said shaft and drivingly connected therewith frictionaliy engaging the faces of said disks, spring means disposed between said disks and said frame resiliently forcing said disks against said friction wheel, manually-operated means carried by said frame and operatively engaging said friction wheel to move wheel lengthwise of said roller shaft and thereby vary the speed ratio between said shaft and disks, one of said disks having anguiarly-spaced pin sockets in the outer portion thereof, and pins selectively insertable in said sockets to operatively engage said switch upon rotation of said one disk relative thereto.

6. Automatic stock-feeding mechanism for advancing a strip of stock through a forming press comprising power-driven feeding mechanism, means carried by said power-driven mechanism operative to start and stop the same, metering mechanism receiving stool: fed by said feeding mechanism and operative to control said starting and stopping means to stop said feeding mechanism whenever a predetermined length of stock has been advanced thereby, and electric switch means electrically connected with said starting and stopping means to re-start said feeding mechanism after it has been stopped by said stock-metering mechanism, said metering mechanism having a coarse and a fine adjustment for length of stock metered, said fine adjustment including manually-operated means accessible from the exterior of said mechanism.

9. Power-operated feeding mechanism for advancing a strip of stock to a forming press comprising a hollow frame, feed-roller shafts journaled in said frame, a feed roller on the outer end of each feed-roller shaft, a drive shaft journaled in said frame, gear means operatively connecting said drive shaft and said feed-roller shafts, clutch means on said drive shaft for driving the same, a motor adjustably mounted on said frame, variable speed drive means operatively connecting said motor and said clutch means, pressure rollers supported on said frame in opposition to said feed rollers, and spring means operatively connected between said pressure rollers and said frame resiliently forcing said pressure rollers toward said feed rollers.

10. In combination with a punch press having a frame, a lower die mounted in said frame and an upper die movably supported in said frame for reciprocatory movement toward and away from said lower die, an automatic stock feed for advancing a strip of stock a selected distance at predetermined intervals to the forming press comprising a frame, feed and pressure rollers supported on said frame for the passage of said strip of stock therebetween, continuously operating power means driving said feed rollers independently of said press, means including a friction clutch drivinglg. connecting said power means with said feed. rollers, electromagnetic means operatively connected with said clutch effective when energized to disengage said clutch, metering means positioned to engage and measure stock passing said feed rollers, a normally open switch periodically closed by said metering means to energize said electromagnetic means to disengage said clutch and stop said feed, a normally open switch carried by said press frame and effective when open to de-energize said electromagnetic means and restart said feed, a switch actuator carried by said upper die and engaging said normally open switch to maintain the latter closed only when said upper die is within a predetermined distance of said lower die, and a manually operated switch connected in series with said normally open switches and eifective when opened to disable said metering means to periodically stop said feed and thereby provide a continuous feed operation for said automatic stock feed.

JOI-Ill WYZA.

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